Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, yesterday described the construction of infrastructure to distribute Natural Gas to companies operating within the Lagos Free Zone as a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
Ekpo, who spoke yesterday at the flag off ceremony of the project being undertaken by Optimera Energy LFZ Enterprise, an integrated energy solutions provider, at the Lagos Free Zone, congratulated the firm for its visionary approach and commitment to advancing the nation’s energy landscape.
According to the minister, the development of a 25 million standard cubic feet per day City Gate Station, scalable to 100 million standard cubic feet per day, along with the necessary ancillary infrastructure by Optimera Energy, reflects not only the company’s dedication but also a shared vision for a thriving and resilient Nigeria.
“Natural Gas is a pivotal component in our energy matrix, offering cleaner and more efficient solutions. The infrastructure we are launching today is not just about pipes and stations but about powering communities, industries, and dreams. It is about creating a foundation for economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability. It is about making Nigeria an economic giant using our abundant gas resources,” he said.
Explaining the scope of the project, the Managing Director, Optimera Energy, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, disclosed that the infrastructure, aside from comprising of a 25MMScf/D, scalable to 100MMScf/D, together with necessary ancillary infrastructure, also includes 10km distribution lines within the zone as well as a 6.5km x 10 inches gas pipeline from the Escravos – Lagos Pipeline System tie-in point in the Lekki corridor outside the zone to Optimera City Gate Station at the Lagos Free zone.
She further revealed that the firm had signed a 20-year Gas Infrastructure Development Agreement (GIDA) with the Lagos Free Zone Company (LFZC) to connect off-takers to its gas distribution infrastructure within the zone.
“The LFZC has invested over $2.5 billion in building a world-class facility integrated with Lekki Deep Seaport in the Zone, and we are excited to be part of this infrastructural development in our nation, Nigeria, particularly as this project is fully aligned with the nation’s Decade of Gas aspirations,” Mrs. Joe-Ezigbo said.
Noting that the firm was established to address gaps in energy access while creating sustainable value for its stakeholders, the Managing Director pledged the continued commitment of the firm to championing the country’s energy transition to cleaner fuels by leveraging on the Nation’s abundant natural gas low-carbon resources.
“We are working to ensure that Nigeria’s natural gas resources are responsibly and efficiently utilised from the upstream and downstream sectors of the value chain. Our mandate is to execute projects to deepen domestic natural gas consumption and utilisation in Nigeria and across Africa,” she submitted.
In similar vein, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, stated that the partnership between Optimera Energy and LFZ is a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that the 20-year infrastructure development agreement signifies more than just an investment but a testament to the company’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s natural resources responsibly and efficiently.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone Company, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, stated: “Today is a critical milestone for us at Lagos Free Zone to get one step closer to our goal of providing reliable and cleaner energy solutions to meet the needs of existing and future tenants at LFZ. With the start of commercial operations at Lekki Port, delivery of piped natural gas to each enterprise at LFZ would further realise our vision to be the preferred industrial hub in West Africa with world-class infrastructure”.
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